Kerala High Court Quashes Travancore-Cochin Medical Council Notices on Foreign Degrees
Court Protects Doctors with Overseas Qualifications
Clarifies Recognition Rules for Medical Practice
By Our Legal Correspondent
New Delhi: February 23, 2026:
In a significant ruling, the Kerala High Court has quashed notices issued by the Travancore-Cochin Medical Council (TCMC) that directed doctors holding foreign medical degrees to suffix the phrase “equivalent to MBBS in India” to their names and qualifications. The Court held that such directions were unnecessary and beyond the authority of the Council, bringing relief to hundreds of doctors with overseas qualifications.
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The Case
The dispute arose when the TCMC issued notices to doctors who had obtained foreign medical qualifications such as MD (Physician) or MD (Doctor of Medicine) from countries like Russia, Ukraine, and other nations. These degrees are recognized in India as equivalent to MBBS after clearance from the National Medical Commission (NMC).
The Council insisted that these doctors must explicitly mention “equivalent to MBBS in India” alongside their names and degrees in professional records. Several doctors challenged this directive, arguing that it was discriminatory and created unnecessary confusion.
Court’s Observations
The Kerala High Court made several key points:
- Recognition already granted: Once the NMC recognizes a foreign degree as equivalent to MBBS, no further qualification or suffix is required.
- Council exceeded authority: The TCMC cannot impose additional conditions beyond what is prescribed by national law.
- Professional dignity: Forcing doctors to use such suffixes undermines their professional standing and creates stigma.
- Uniformity in practice: All recognized medical degrees must be treated equally to maintain consistency in healthcare.
Rules for Recognition of Foreign Medical Degrees
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In India, recognition of foreign medical qualifications follows a clear process:
- National Medical Commission (NMC) is the sole authority to recognize foreign medical degrees.
- Doctors must clear the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) to practice in India.
- Once recognized, the degree is treated as equivalent to MBBS, and the doctor can register with state medical councils.
- State councils like TCMC are responsible only for registration and regulation, not for altering recognized qualifications.
The High Court clarified that state councils cannot impose additional requirements that go beyond NMC’s recognition framework.
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Why This Matters
The ruling has wide implications:
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- Relief for foreign-trained doctors: Many Indian students pursue medical education abroad due to limited seats in India. This judgment ensures they are not subjected to unnecessary restrictions.
- Clarity in medical practice: Patients and institutions can rely on uniform recognition of degrees without confusing suffixes.
- Strengthening rule of law: Reinforces that statutory bodies must act within their legal boundaries.
Reactions
- Doctors with foreign degrees welcomed the ruling, saying it protects their dignity and professional equality.
- Legal experts noted that the judgment reinforces the supremacy of NMC in regulating medical qualifications.
- Medical councils are expected to review their practices to ensure compliance with the Court’s directions.
Closing Note
The Kerala High Court’s decision to quash the Travancore-Cochin Medical Council’s notices is a landmark ruling that protects the rights of doctors with foreign medical degrees. By clarifying that recognition by the NMC is sufficient, the Court has ensured uniformity, fairness, and dignity in medical practice.
This judgment is expected to influence similar disputes across India, providing clarity for thousands of foreign-trained doctors who contribute significantly to the country’s healthcare system.
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